FERTILISER RING, METHOD AND PRODUCTION

Abstract

Provided is a fertiliser ring (10), and an associated method for producing such a fertiliser ring (10), the ring (10) broadly comprising a ratio range of i) 60% to 70% manure, ii) 10% to 20% paper waste, iii) 10% to 20% water, and iv) 0.3% to 0.8% NPK compound, wherein the ring (10) is pressed and dried and operatively placeable about a plant (6) to provide controlled-release of nutrients. The fertiliser ring (10) typically also comprises at least one line of weakness (12) along which the ring (10) is breakable or separatable in order to facilitate placement about a stem (8) of the plant (6).

Claims

1. A method for producing a fertiliser ring, said method comprising the steps of: combining manure, paper waste, water and an NPK compound in a ratio range of: i) 60% to 70% manure; ii) 10% to 20% paper waste; iii) 10% to 20% water; and iv) 0.3% to 0.8% NPK compound; pressing the resulting mixture of manure, paper waste, water and NPK compound into a ring mold with a force in a range of 30 kN to 70 kN to remove water from said mixture and form said mixture into a ring, said ring mold configured to define at least one line of weakness along which the ring is breakable in order to facilitate placement about a plant; and drying the ring.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the ratio range of manure, paper waste, water and NPK compound is 66,31% manure, 16,57% paper waste, 16,58% water and 0.54% NPK compound.

3. The method of claim 1, which includes a step of mixing the combination of manure, paper waste, water and an NPK compound to reach a predetermined consistency.

4. The method of claim 1, which includes a step of adding a colouring agent when combining the manure, paper waste, water and NPK compound.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the colouring agent is selected from a non-exhaustive group consisting of green, brown, yellow, red, orange, blue, white and black, and wherein the colouring agent is indicative of the ratio range of the manure, paper waste, water and NPK compound.

6. (canceled)

7. The method of claim 1, which includes a step of adding an insecticide and/or pesticide when combining the manure, paper waste, water and NPK compound.

8. The method of claim 1, which includes the step of microwaving the molded ring for between 1 to 8 minutes for sanitising purposes.

9. (canceled)

10. The method of claim 1, which includes the step of regulating a pH of the mixture by adding an acid, such as boric or citric acid, or an alkaline, such as caustic soda, as required to regulate a pH range of the mixture between 6.8 to 7.4.

11. (canceled)

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the manure is selected from a non-exhaustive group consisting of horse manure, cow manure, sheep manure, poultry manure and bat manure.

13-14. (canceled)

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of drying the ring comprises air-drying said ring for a period of 12 to 96 hours.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein an outside diameter of the ring is in a range of 50 mm to 1500 mm to suit plants of different sizes.

17. A fertiliser ring comprising: i) 60% to 70% manure; ii) 10% to 20% paper waste; iii) 10% to 20% water; and iv) 0.3% to 0.8% NPK compound; wherein the ring is pressed and dried and operatively placeable about a plant to provide controlled-release of nutrients, said ring comprising at least one line of weakness along which the ring is breakable in order to facilitate placement about a plant.

18. The fertiliser ring of claim 17, which comprises at least two lines of weakness aligned on opposed sides of the ring to facilitate separation into halves.

19. The fertiliser ring of claim 17, which is comprised of a ratio of 66.31% manure, 16.57% paper waste, 16.58% water and 0.54% NPK compound.

20. The fertiliser ring of claim 17, which includes an additional insecticide and/or pesticide.

21. The fertiliser ring of claim 17, which includes a colouring agent selected from a non-exhaustive group consisting of green, brown, yellow, red, orange, blue, white and black, wherein the colouring agent is selected to be indicative of the ratio range of the manure, paper waste, water and NPK compound.

22. (canceled)

23. The fertiliser ring of claim 17, which has an outside diameter in a range of 50 mm to 1500 mm to suit plants of different sizes.

24. A method for fertilising a plant, said method comprising the step of placing a fertiliser ring in accordance with claim 17, about a stem of said plant to provide controlled-release of nutrients.

25. (canceled)

26. The method of claim 24, which includes the step of separating the ring into parts via suitable lines of weakness defined therein to facilitate placement about said plant.

27. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0056] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective-view representation of one embodiment of a fertiliser ring, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

[0057] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic side-view sectional representation of the fertiliser ring of FIG. 1 placed about a plant; and

[0058] FIG. 3 shows diagrammatic perspective-view representations of examples of different toroid shapes of the fertiliser ring in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0059] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non-limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention to the skilled addressee. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. In the figures, incorporated to illustrate features of the example embodiment or embodiments, like reference numerals are used to identify like parts throughout. Additionally, features, mechanisms and aspects well-known and understood in the art will not be described in detail, as such features, mechanisms and aspects will be within the understanding of the skilled addressee.

[0060] With reference now to the accompanying drawings, the present invention broadly provides for a method for producing a fertiliser ring 10 which can be used to fertilise a plant 6. Advantageously, the ring 10 is operatively placeable about a stem 8 of the plant 6 to provide controlled-release of nutrients in an even and uniform manner, i.e. fertiliser can be evenly applied about the entire plant over a period of time.

[0061] The method for producing the ring 10 generally comprises the steps of combining manure, paper waste, water and an NPK compound in a ratio range of: [0062] i) 60% to 70% manure; [0063] ii) 10% to 20% paper waste; [0064] iii) 10% to 20% water; and [0065] iv) 0.3% to 0.8% NPK compound; after which the resulting mixture is pressed into a ring mold with a force in a range of 30 kN to 70 kN (variations hereon are possible and expected) to remove excess water from said mixture and to form said mixture into a ring, after which the ring 10 is dried so that it solidifies or hardens to facilitate easy handling thereof.

[0066] As described above, it is to be appreciated that a ring may include any toroid (circular or otherwise, with any number of holes), including a toroidal polyhedron or the like. In essence, the ring 10 can be any shape able to at least partially surround the stem 8 of a plant 6, with some non-limiting examples shown in FIG. 3, e.g. a circle, a triangle, a rectangle, a square, a polygon/polyhedron, etc. In addition, the ring 10 may come in a number of different sizes to suit plants of various sizes, i.e. potted plants, shrubs, trees, etc. Of course, the ratio ranges are selected to total 100%.

[0067] In a preferred embodiment, the ratio range of manure, paper waste, water and NPK compound is around 66,31% manure, 16,57% paper waste, 16,58% water and 0.54% NPK compound. Of course, variations on the exact proportions of the constituent components are possible and anticipated. For example, to make roughly 18 rings of 250 mm size, 40 L of manure, 10 L of paper waste, 10 L water, and 26 gm of a suitable NPK compound can be mixed, pressed into ring moulds with a press, such as a hydraulic press, with a force of around 49 kN. During such pressing, the excess water is typically recovered so that it can be recycled into a next batch. Once pressed, the rings are microwaved for approximately 3-5 minutes each to sanitise them, after which they are air-dried for 24-72 hours depending on conditions.

[0068] Accordingly, the method typically includes a step of mixing the combination of manure, paper waste, water and an NPK compound to reach a predetermined consistency, e.g. a slurry or similar mixture. In one example, the method includes a step of adding a colouring agent, such as food colouring, when combining the manure, paper waste, water and NPK compound. As will be appreciated, colouring agent may include any suitable colour, such as green, brown, yellow, red, orange, blue, white and black, or the like. In an embodiment, the colouring agent is selected to be indicative of the ratio range of the manure, paper waste, water and NPK compound, i.e. a specific colour useable for a specific type or species of plant.

[0069] For example, citrus trees may use an orange colour in which the ratio range has been optimised to suit fertilising requirements of citrus plants, or rose bushes may use red or pink coloured rings, or apple trees may use a green colour, or the like. Again, variations hereon are expected and within the scope of the present invention.

[0070] The skilled addressee is to appreciate that various types of manure, or even combinations of manure, can be used. Some possible examples include horse manure, cow manure, sheep manure, poultry manure and bat manure. Similarly, various types of paper waster can be used, such as paper, cardboard, newsprint and wrapping paper, or the like.

[0071] Examples of the NPK compound may include any compound, substance, material or mixture including nitrogen (including slow-release nitrogen in the form of urea and fast release in the form of ammonia), potassium (both soluble and insoluble) and phosphorus (as percentages of sulphur and calcium). Variations on the ratios of the above are possible, expected and within the scope of the invention.

[0072] In one example, the method may include a step of adding an insecticide and/or pesticide when combining the manure, paper waste, water and NPK compound. The method may also include the step of regulating a pH of the mixture prior to pressing by adding an acid, such as boric or citric acid, or an alkaline, such as caustic soda, as required. Typically, a pH range of the mixture is regulated to a PH of between approximately 6,8 to 7,4. Of course, certain plants and/or soil types may require different pH levels and such variations are expected. As described above, a type of insecticide may be indicated by use of a specific colouring agent, or the like.

[0073] The method generally includes the step of microwaving the molded ring for between 1 to 8 minutes for sanitising purposes, and the step of drying the ring generally comprises air-drying said ring for a period of between 12 to 96 hours. Of course, variations hereon as possible and included within the scope of the invention.

[0074] As will be appreciated, the invention includes a fertiliser ring produced via such a method, i.e. a ring 10 comprising: [0075] i) 60% to 70% manure; [0076] ii) 10% to 20% paper waste; [0077] iii) 10% to 20% water; and [0078] iv) 0.3% to 0.8% NPK compound; wherein the ring is pressed and dried and operatively placeable about a plant 6 to provide controlled-release of nutrients.

[0079] Importantly, the fertiliser ring 10 generally comprises at least one line of weakness 12 along which the ring 10 is breakable or separatable in order to facilitate placement about a stem 8 of the plant 6. Typically, the fertiliser ring 10 comprises at least two lines of weakness 12 aligned on opposed sides of the ring 10, as shown in FIG. 3, to facilitate separation into halves, or the like.

[0080] The present invention further includes an associated method for fertilising a plant, said method comprising the step of placing a fertiliser ring 10, as described above, about a portion of said plant 6 to provide controlled-release of nutrients.

[0081] Typically, the fertiliser ring 10 is placed about a stem 8 of the plant 6, and the method includes the step of separating the ring into parts via the suitable lines of weakness 12 defined therein to facilitate placement about said plant 6.

[0082] A typical analysis of one embodiment of a fertiliser ring 10 produced as described herein is shown in the following table:

TABLE-US-00001 Organic Waste 77.60% Recycled Waste 22.40% (of which) Total Nitrogen (N) 17.4% w/w Urea (slow release) 7.3% w/w Ammonia (quick release) 4.7% w/w Total Phosphorus (P) 1.2% w/w Water Soluble 0.2% w/w Insoluble 1.0% w/w Citrate soluble 0.02% w/w Total Potassium (K) 8.6% w/w Sulphur 9.3% w/w Calcium 2.1% w/w Trace Elements Iron 4030 ppm Silicon 6.80% Magnesium 16.00% Zinc 93.6 ppm Manganese 329 ppm Copper 43 ppm Boron 21 ppm Nickel 30 ppm Molybdenum 5.92 ppm Calcium Sulphate 2.53%
Variations on the above ratios are possible, expected and within the scope of the invention.

[0083] Applicant believes it particularly advantageous that the present invention provides for improvements in the use of dispensing fertilisers, and specifically to an improved process to distribute fertilisers using a pressed ring containing an organic waste such as manure and recycled paper, a process for its production and methods of using it to improve the growth of plant by adding specific trace elements and other materials and/or overcome or at least reduce the deleterious effect of insects upon plants. The fertiliser rings may be of various geometric shapes, sizes and designs. Specific colours may also be used to indicate a particular species of plant for which a ring has been formulated.

[0084] Optional embodiments of the present invention may also be said to broadly consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated herein, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements or features, and wherein specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. In the example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail, as such will be readily understood by the skilled addressee.

[0085] The use of the terms a, an, said, the, and/or similar referents in the context of describing various embodiments (especially in the context of the claimed subject matter) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms comprising, having, including, and containing are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning including, but not limited to,) unless otherwise noted. As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed subject matter as essential to the practice of the claimed subject matter.

[0086] Spatially relative terms, such as inner, outer, beneath, below, lower, above, upper, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as below or beneath other elements or features would then be oriented above the other elements or features. Thus, the example term below can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0087] It is to be appreciated that reference to one example or an example of the invention, or similar exemplary language (e.g., such as) herein, is not made in an exclusive sense. Various substantially and specifically practical and useful exemplary embodiments of the claimed subject matter are described herein, textually and/or graphically, for carrying out the claimed subject matter.

[0088] Accordingly, one example may exemplify certain aspects of the invention, whilst other aspects are exemplified in a different example. These examples are intended to assist the skilled person in performing the invention and are not intended to limit the overall scope of the invention in any way unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Variations of one or more embodiments described herein might become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this application. The inventor(s) expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor(s) intends for the claimed subject matter to be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

[0089] Any method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.